The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1887-11-25
Secretary Lamar Makes nm issue vita
land Commissioner Sparks.


Land Commissioner Sparks.
WAsn1EGToN, Nov. 1I.-secretary Lamar
late this afternoon sent letter TO Qommia-
sioner Sparks, replying to q communication
from him relative TO the adjustment Of tho
Chicago, ST. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha
railroad land grants.
Commissioner Sparks criticised the ruling
of Mr.. Lamar az Ia opposition to the previous
rulings Of himself and other secretaries aud
the docsions OK the couFtar and ~ answer
that gentleman takes, mp the pointa made "
Mr., Sparks, and refutes them, and says,
among other thtngB;
have just reGeiyed q COMM tlon beaF-
ing this date, changed BIZ erasure and intoF-
pOlHtiuu from n previous date, Addressed 10
me by you, and will try to answer it Rt once,
RB the matter 10 which u relates has already
been unnecessarily delayed too long. FORTH
nately 1 will be able TO do this more conya-
uigntly because every point submitted hRs
been the subject Of reconsideration, having
been presented through the columns Of tho
press, whose enteTpFise, put them in posses;
sion 81 these points before ! vas apprised
that the decision referred TO In your letter
had incurred your disapproYRi and met with
I have neither the disposition to enter
upon polemiG discussionB With suhordipats
nor to engage with him az his insissence in .
gladiatoIinl combat especially 50 IN mat
| ter In which he has received my carefully
| InaturGd instruction, IN q matter OF pressing
| importance in the public administration af
| function Of great public deplrtment ba
guccessfnlly executed than for the chief to
commend and for the slibordinates TO obey
The letter concludes as follows;
Yon conclude your paper with another
| elaborate criticism OF my DECISION upon the
| branch Of the Omaha road, You claim grqss
| error on my part IN allowing indemnity for
| reservation, putting your arEuneHt upon
| the prOyiso TO the granting act, under c0nBid-
| Grafton by NC, Ii seema, however, to have
| escaped your attention that It was peitheF
my pnrpoH9 nor my dlsy, ~ communicating
the grant p assume we tash q convincing
by elaborate citations Of all the decided caAee
applicable to the subject. had conceived tt
my duty, ng head OF this Department. and
direct you az TO. Whit duties I regqiTad you
to perform. / had also conceived II to DO
equally yopt duty, under the same 9bllEa-
tionE, to obey my instruettQng or Withdraw
y0urself from the duty Of doing IN tn comfy
way recognized under TIC laWs and uaages Of
public litB in civilized eauntries, especially
ss99naftoTmity" II tio Teosili act 81 Congress,
II which imposes upon me the exclusive dut7
az eapsin, th6se grants 70 DO adjusted,
II therefQro only gemains for ne, On thll
tions'o legal maxims BIZ informing you that
these are, in my opinion entirely irraloyant.
.. The question hgg net beoni ~ you mpppse,
grant % grant, but what WaHthe meaning
Of tile pToFiso IN this particular grant,
1 gaYe YOU my opinion on thnt meaning Anf
| You have shown me no shadow Of reason f2
departing from theCnDeluaiap there stated
However we may differ IN our QQnstEuotioI
7 Of statutes on Of decided cases, anu Whateyo
. variance may exist III onr conceptions 81 on
, public duties, / am congtfained 70 say Il
yon that there ID obviously one point lpQI
1 | which we ere ID thorough aocqEd Upon tht
I point you have sbeeeeded IN the eoHnunt
Z cation before me in rtyetlng on my mind !
I profound conWetion that the practical e1ec
I | Of your present course ID thatyOn cannot eX
! ! eclte my orders and follow my Instruction.
2 and 60. operate ID my ADMINISTRATION HithOn
d surrenderinR opinions which ahopln 20 con
I | GGIGntiouEly entertained Wild Fefefene0 q
: | yitally important inteTests. ! am as SINGER
% You can be in the profound conviction the
: ! anee With the law of CQngless ~ line Witl
K decisions Of courts, and in support Of the 8u
4 premacy OF bhe laws and their mFiolabllty
y | IL Is impossible for me- in contlaYention o
Z my own opinions, arrived o. after long an
Z | anxious EtlidY, 70 snrTepder them 10 you
I Under these circumstances 1t u due 70 order
y iy and decorons administration nf the gov
Z / ernment to Important public lnt6rbels ani
= tho common anHse comma tied IN paft 10 YDa
/. hands BY the President, and to tile persona
= regard va Ahuuld both antsftaiH Tor Hin, thR
4 be shall be allowed 70 choose ., AecFetaiy z
Z the Interior who Will conform bis adHirls
z trntinn HI your opinions or to apppint
K COMMISSIONER Of Public LRnde wboAhH ~
4 minister bio bureau tn harmony ri splgit all
4 concert Of action with theelFief Nj the dfpatl
j. Inent, and without compelling him 70 ~
" necessity Of more decisive action on ms PSF
Y This alternative shah submit u the PrgE
z dent AZ tie Hans tilAe that tlliR paper NlA
4 handed 10 you,